Mind the gap: Expediting gender parity in MD-PhD admissions

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Physician-Scientist Training
• Diversity in STEM

Background:

• National studies indicate a need to improve diversity and close the gender gap in MD-PhD programs.
• The Association of American Medical Colleges emphasizes increasing trainee diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate trends in female matriculation within the Harvard/MIT Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP).
• To compare institutional trends with national MD-PhD enrollment data.
• To identify administrative changes contributing to increased female enrollment and gender parity.

Main Methods:

• A 10-year review of admissions data for the Harvard/MIT MSTP.
• Analysis of matriculant gender trends over the 10-year period.
• Identification of specific administrative changes implemented prior to observed shifts in gender balance.

Main Results:

• Observed a sharp and sustained increase in female matriculants over the past 5 years, exceeding the national average.
• Identified the admissions process stage where the gender balance shifted significantly.
• Attributed the increase to administrative changes including expanded faculty participation and balanced gender representation in decision-making.

Conclusions:

• The Harvard/MIT MSTP has achieved gender parity in its MD-PhD matriculants.
• Specific administrative changes, such as diversifying faculty involvement in admissions, are effective in increasing female enrollment.
• These practices have the potential to advance gender parity in MD-PhD programs nationwide and the physician-scientist workforce.